Competitive gaming has risen to unprecedented popularity, and with it comes an increased focus on rule enforcement, hardware regulations, and fair play. One concept that continues to stir discussion in technical gaming communities is Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions, or SOCD. In some games and platforms, SOCD cleaning has posed both ethical and technical dilemmas. But where does Riot Games, the developer of Valorant, stand on this matter? Is SOCD banned in Valorant? Let’s explore the official rules and break down what players and organizers need to know.
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TL;DR
SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) input behavior is not explicitly banned in Valorant. However, Riot Games does monitor abnormal input behavior and retains the authority to disqualify or penalize players using hardware that enables unintended game functions. For casual players, SOCD isn’t a major concern, but in professional or tournament settings, be cautious about using modified input devices or keyboards. Stick to officially supported peripherals to avoid violations of Riot’s competitive guidelines.
What Is SOCD and Why Is It Controversial?
SOCD stands for Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions. It refers to situations in which opposite directional inputs are registered at the same time—such as pressing “left” and “right” or “up” and “down” simultaneously. This act is physically impossible with a standard keyboard but can be enabled or cleaned using custom input devices or controllers. SOCD cleaning ensures that one direction overrides the other or that both inputs cancel out, depending on how the device is configured.
In many fighting games, this type of input cleaning is considered a competitive advantage or outright cheating. For example, pressing “left” and “right” together might make your character block in some games—something that can’t be done with a standard controller. This is where the controversy lies: SOCD input behavior can give players unnatural movement abilities not intended by game developers.
How SOCD Could Affect Valorant Gameplay
Unlike fighting games, Valorant is a first-person shooter heavily reliant on mechanics like movement, aim accuracy, and reaction time. Using SOCD inputs in a game like Valorant could, theoretically, allow a user to exploit movement commands—such as trying to achieve a dead-zone where the player remains stationary despite pressing both “A” and “D” keys, or manipulating strafe speed and input buffering.
While Valorant mechanics are not built around the same axis of directional balance as fighting games, Riot still keeps a close eye on hardware modifications that aid input irregularities. Players using advanced keyboards or macro software with SOCD cleaning might technically not violate a direct rule, but they could violate the spirit of competition and the terms of service.
Riot’s Stance: Official Information on Input Devices
Riot Games does not provide publicly available documentation that explicitly mentions SOCD in relation to Valorant. However, they outline expectations for inputs, peripherals, and modifications in their Official Tournament Rules and Terms of Service. Here are some key points relevant to this discussion:
- Unsupported peripherals: Riot discourages and can disqualify the use of peripherals that offer non-standard functions, such as automatic macros, turbo buttons, and potentially, SOCD cleaners.
- Fair competition: Any modification that provides an unfair mechanical advantage is considered a breach of competitive integrity.
- Manual review: Riot reserves the right to review specific device behaviors and issue penalties, even if the rules are not violated verbatim.
Is SOCD Specifically Named in the Rulebooks?
The short answer is no—SOCD is not currently mentioned by name in Riot’s publicly available tournament guidelines or Terms of Service. However, that does not mean its use is without consequences. Riot’s enforcement is largely prerogative; if behavior or hardware results in game manipulation, it can be treated as a violation.
This is supported by several incidents where players were penalized for using input devices with advanced features, and even gaming mice with pre-programmed clicks have come under scrutiny. To Riot, the principle is simple: if a device mimics or enhances human input in a way that’s impossible through a standard setup, it may invalidate your competitive eligibility.
How TOs (Tournament Organizers) Handle SOCD
Tournament Organizers (TOs), especially those in the VCT (Valorant Champions Tour), often include extensive hardware regulations. While Riot’s central rules may not name SOCD specifically, affiliate tournaments may have supplemental rules that ban:
- Custom PCBs designed for SOCD cleaning
- Controllers or keyboards that override directional conflicts
- Inputs that are not natively supported by Valorant’s PC platform
- Any non-certified third-party drivers that alter movement behavior
In short, at higher levels of competition, most non-standard input behaviors, including SOCD-type functions, are subject to scrutiny—even if not universally banned.
What Devices Could Potentially Use SOCD Cleaning in Valorant?
Here are a few examples of peripherals and configurations that may involve SOCD cleaning or related technologies in Valorant:
- Custom mechanical keyboards using Layered Key Mapping firmware (e.g., QMK, VIA, etc.)
- Hitbox-style controllers that are designed for fighting games but used in FPS as a novelty
- Input converters that allow console-style controllers with remappable behaviors
- Modified drivers on gaming keypads (e.g., Razer Tartarus) that can produce SOCD outputs
While these devices are innovative, players using them in competitive environments should ensure they are compliant with Riot’s standards.
Can You Get Banned for Using SOCD in Valorant?
In ranked or casual play, you are unlikely to be banned solely for using a device with SOCD capabilities. Riot’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, is more attuned to software cheats, DLL injections, and network manipulations. As long as your device does not alter game memory or produce automatic movements, it probably won’t trigger an auto-ban.
However, that doesn’t make it acceptable for tournament play or broadcasted matches. In sanctioned environments, even the suspicion of enhanced inputs can lead to disqualification, player bans, or team penalties. Always consult the event-specific rulebook and clear any modified hardware with the TO before competing.
Professional Advice to Stay Safe
To avoid penalties or disqualification, here are best practices regarding input devices in Valorant:
- Use OEM-certified keyboards and mice: Stick with well-known brands and stock settings.
- Avoid driver tweaks: Don’t use driver-level software that changes keyboard behavior.
- Research tournament rules before registering: Each organizer may have unique policies.
- Confirm SOCD status if using niche devices: Reach out to admins for a ruling before a match.
Conclusion: Is SOCD Banned in Valorant?
While Riot has not placed an outright ban on SOCD input behavior for all players, its use in official or sanctioned tournaments is risky and may fall under violations of competitive integrity. Given Riot’s emphasis on fair play, it’s highly recommended to avoid any custom input methods that emulate or alter natural player motion, including SOCD cleaners.
For recreational players, the threat of discipline is low but not non-existent. If you’re serious about ranking up or playing at a professional level, the safest route is to stick with standard, unmodified peripherals and avoid any configurations or hardware that might raise suspicion.
